Smart Cards offer secure social media tips

Your personal social media site may be the gateway for terrorist groups to obtain information about you. Recently, news agencies have reported that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is encouraging attacks against Military personnel and obtaining personal information through their social media accounts. There have already been reported incidents where Department of Defense affiliated personnel or their Family Members have been harassed by ISIL supporters

In an effort to combat these security threats, the IMCOM Headquarters Security Department has developed Social Media Smart Cards, which provide tips on how to keep your accounts safe through the most commonly used social media venues. The Smart Cards were disseminated to the WSMR workforce earlier this month in the form of an e-mail. The cards themselves were attached in PDF format. Separate Smart Cards are provided for Facebook users, Twitter users, LinkedIn users, and Google+ users.

“Postings on social media sites by Department of Defense affiliated persons, which identifies their affiliation to DOD, is a major Force Protection concern,” said Lee Branham IMCOM Headquarters security specialist, in a mass e-mail. “Information posted and shared on social media should be limited to help mitigate potential harassment and the compromise of personal information.”

Branham said social media sites should not include any information that could confirm a DoD association or provide specific data that extremist could possibly use to exploit an individual.

“While this recommendation may not be accepted by all, it (has been established) that extremists will continue to exploit social media and continue to conduct targeted harassment and intimidation into the foreseeable future,” Branham said in his e-mail.

If you do encounter aggressive behavior, verbal threats, or physical threats, remove yourself from the situation immediately and report it to your security office. Always attempt to de-escalate the situation at every opportunity before engaging.

“Be aware of your surroundings, vary your commute to and from work, and if possible, vary your routine activity.”

The Smart Cards can also be found on the WSMR Public Affairs Facebook page in an album titled “Social Media Smart Cards.”